Overview
Houghton Lake is a city in Rosscommon County in the state of Michigan. Home of Tip Up Town, USA, the largest winter carnival in the United States, the site of the movie Frozen Stupid, and amazing vacation spot for those on a budget or with children.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Houghton Lake
Muskegon River
After you've rented a pontoon, take it on a slow ride down the Muskegon River. The fancy country club at the river mouth used to be a lighthouse, before it burned down. Oooh and aaah at the wealthy homes on the riverside…
Reedsburg Dam
Fishing is allowed near the dam, so take a day trip here.
Houghton Lake Area Historical Society
Shows how things were done in old Houghton Lake. Bring kids of all ages to the hands-on exhibits.
Fred's Of Roscommon
Restaurant, bowling, bar, catering and party hall.
The Pines Theatre
This rustic, log-cabin style movie theater shows only one movie at a time for about three weeks. It is usually the highest-grossing film at the box office or the one with the largest promotional team. Movies show at 7:30…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Traverse City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 50 mi away. Directions
- MBS MBS International Airport, Freeland — 64 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 106 mi away (major hub). Directions
Houghton Lake is right off the freeway.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Muskegon River, Reedsburg Dam, The Pines Theatre
- Lunch Garrett's Place
- Afternoon Houghton Lake Area Historical Society, Fred's Of Roscommon
- Evening The Limberlost
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Houghton Lake is right off the freeway.
By bus
Indian Trailsbus service between St. Ignace and East Lansing
By plane
Houghton Lake does have a small airstrip, but only small one or two engine planes land here. No commercial airlines operate out of Houghton Lake. There isn't actually an airport either. Unless you own a small plane, this method is not suggested for getting into the area. You can, however fly in through Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City (TVC), rent a car, and drive to Houghton Lake.
By boat
Boats are welcomed in Houghton Lake, but don't try to get there by one. The Muskegon River is the big river connecting to the lake, and it goes through a lot of shallow, swampy areas, not to mention a few dams that make traveling in anything larger than a canoe a real challenge, if not impossible.
Get around
Summer
If you drive here, just use a car. Boats can also be rented.
Winter
Rent a snowmobile for the nearby trails, and make sure your car can drive through the sometimes-not-snow-removed streets during the winter. Sometimes it may take the snow removal crews a little while to clear the roadways.
See
Do
Get a pontoon to have a lazy afternoon on the lake that you can fish off of, or a jet ski to zip around the lake on.
Do Muskegon River
After you've rented a pontoon, take it on a slow ride down the Muskegon River. The fancy country club at the river mouth used to be a lighthouse, before it burned down. Oooh and aaah at the wealthy homes on the riverside, but turn around once you get a little bit past the bridge, for a little ways beyond that is swamp.
Do The Pines Theatre
This rustic, log-cabin style movie theater shows only one movie at a time for about three weeks. It is usually the highest-grossing film at the box office or the one with the largest promotional team. Movies show at 7:30PM and 9PM nightly. Be sure to get there at least half an our before the show starts to grab a good parking spot, buy refreshments, and make sure all the little ones go "potty".
Events
- Tip Up Town USA Local annual festival in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.
Buy
Shop Rocking Chair Gift Shop
This is the classic Houghton Lake gift shop, selling t-shirts, knick-nacks, and all related Houghton Lake memorabilia.
Eat
Budget
Eat Garrett's Place
This is a small restaurant with a log cabin like decor. They serve the usual mom-and-pop type food, including fish, burgers, and soup.
Drink
Drink The Limberlost
The classic Houghton Lake bar. Leave the kids with a babysitter and visit here.
Sleep
Resorts and Campgrounds
Stay Songer's Log Cabins Resort
Located on the East shore of beautiful Houghton Lake. This lovely year-round family resort has eight 2-bedroom completely modern housekeeping log cabins with screened porches. Some with natural stone fireplaces all have gas heat and Cable TV. The resort also has a Pontoon available for rent.
Stay Houghton's North Sky Resort
Six cabin resort on the beautiful South shore, close to everything and perfect for gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Our cabins range in sizes of one, two, and three bedrooms, all with full kitchens. The new owners have begun making many improvements as well as making it a four-season resort with cable and internet.
Hotels
Nearby
Grayling
City / town · 2 listings · 24 mi away
Cadillac
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Kalkaska
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Reed City
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Gaylord
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Mount Pleasant
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Traverse City
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Interlochen
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